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Minister Brian Hayes opens "Elements", a joint OPW/DFP art exhibition, in the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Dublin 8
Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works, this evening formally opened a joint art exhibition between the Department of Finance and Personnel (Northern Ireland) and the Office of Public Works in the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre at Ashtown Castle in Dublin 8.
Opening the exhibition Minister Hayes said: "This OPW /DFP exhibition is one of the longest running shared North/South visual arts projects and has been running annually since the late 1990s. Over the years, we have toured the work of hundreds of artists to arts centres, colleges, hospitals, theatres, libraries and even to the halls of Stormont in Belfast. OPW is delighted to continue this tradition and particularly pleased that the exhibition has come here to the Phoenix Park which is celebrating its 350th anniversary this year. "
The Minister continued: "This year's show focuses on the theme of the four elements - earth, air, fire and water. Each artist treats the subject matter in his or her own way. Alongside the contemporary works on display, there are a few historic works in the exhibition that are very interesting. We have the work of Northern Italian artist Gaetano Gandolfi (1734-1802). This painting of the God of Fire, Vulcan in his Forge, is one of the paintings from the mythological series that hang in the Throne Room of the State Apartments in Dublin Castle. Also included is a major painting by renowned artist Norah McGuinness (1901-1980) that depicts the burning of the Four Courts."
The Minister concluded: "Our collaboration with the Department of Finance & Personnel has been a fruitful one. I think we can all see that there is a great public appetite for the arts, as is evident from the recent success of Culture Night nationwide, where thousands of people in cities throughout the island came out to enjoy all the arts have to offer. We look forward to taking this year's exhibition on to venues in Larne next month and Enniscorthy in December. Please be sure to tell all your friends about the exhibition – it will be here until the end of October."